Rotating rack for show-cases.



O. L. SMITH.

ROTATING RACK FOR SHOW CASES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 7. 19:3. RENEWED JUNE 19, 1915.

1,169,294, Patented Jan. 25, 1916.

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T59 a 5 Z 4 I] WITNESSES: INVENTO.

6 A? @MWZJM ilwfMx Patented J an. 25, 1916.

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WITNESSES zf wma OSCAR L. SMITH, OF GRAND RAPIJ DS, MICHIGAN.

ROTATING RACK FOR SHOW-CASES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 25, 1916.

Application filed February 7, 1913, Serial No. 746,710. Renewed June 19,1915. Serial No. 35,125.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Oscar: L. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, andresident of Grand Rapids, in the county of Kent and State of Michigan,have invented a new and Improved Rotating Rack for Show-Cases, of whichthe following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is aspecification.

This invention is concerned with showcases and racks therefor used inthe carrying and exhibition of ready made garments, the garments beingsupported individually on garment hangers which engage and are carriedby members of the rack. It has been found that the best, most easilyoperated, most convenient and serviceable structure which can be used tocarry and display garments in the most economical mannerwith respect tofloor space used, is a rack mounted for rotation in a glass show casecarrying two rows of garments parallel to the front and back of thecase, and which rack is mounted to move bodily back and forth in thecase that the rotation thereof may be effected when toward the front ofthe case that contact of the rack with the back of the case will beavoided, such contact resulting in breaking and marring the case as isevident. Means accordingly must be provided to prevent the rotativemovement of the rack when away from the front position to such an extentthat contact of the rack and case will occur. This has already been donein various manners either by providing a controlling means to act on therotatable rack and limit its rotative movement during all positionsthereof with reference to the case except the front position when therack is entirely freed from said controlling means and has free andunrestricted rotation so far as the controlling means is concerned, orby providing a controlling means to act on the rotatable rack at alltimes no matter in what position but which limits the rotation thereofto a certain arc, usually one half of a circumference, after which anyfurther rotation of the rack to gain access to different portionsthereof must be in the opposite direction and within the limitsprescribed by the controlling means. In this invention it is purposed toprovide a rack that is rotatable without limit in either direction whendrawn toward the front of the case, but which is also not freed fromcontrol of the means which prevents contact of therack and case when inposition to rotate completely, but is controlled, checked and gulded insuch manner that the rack if uninfluenced by any force tending to rotateit will stay in any position at which it is left after rotating it. Andthis is accomplished by making the rotation and a portion of the bodilymovement of the rack concurrent, whereby the force which must be exertedto obtain these movements must be divided between the two simultaneouslyoccurring movements, so that if the rack should from gravity or otherforce of limited extent tend to rotate or to bodily move the portionthereof which would be necessary to concurrently bodily move or rotatethe rack would so divide the force that neither movement would beaccomplished. vVhile by the exertion of superior force both movementsmay be made to simultaneously occur and the rotation of the rack withoutlimit in either direction to bring all portions thereof in accessibleposition be accomplished. The

structure illustrating my invention and which secures these desiredresults is shown in the drawings in which,

Figure 1 is a view taken on line aa, Fig. 2, the rack being shown inplan view and a portion of the false bottom of the case being brokenaway to disclose structure normally covered up thereby. Fig. 2 is asectional view taken on the line b?), Fig. 1 and looking back into thecase, the rotative mount of the rack also being shown in section. Fig. 3

is a vertical section taken on the line oc, Fig. 1. Fig. 4c is a viewsimilar to that shown in Fig. l but with the rack in forward positionand partially rotated. Fig. 5 is an elevation of a structural detailattached to the rotatable rack and traversing the guiding means.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the severalviews.

The case comprises the usual glass top 1, sides 2, back 3 and doors i,the doors being mounted in the usual manner to retract into the casewhen access to the interior of the case is desired. Located inside ofthe case is a rack 5 mounted on the carriage 6 for rotative movement,the carriage havin back and forth movement on the tracks 7 in the usualmanner to bodily move the rack toward and from the front of the case.The rackcomprises two parallel rods 8 spaced apart and of a lengthnearly equal to the length of the case, which are supported on The rods.8 are used to support garment hangers'upon which ready made garmentsmay be hung and they lie near the top of the case so that the garmentshang below them and above the floor of the case. In the normal retractedposition of the rack, the

barslie parallel to the front and back of the case and therewithin sothat any garmerits held on the rods will be inclosed when the doors ofthe case are shut. It is evident that the garments held on the rear rodare covered up practically by those on the front rod and that in orderto have access thereto for exhibition or removal the rear rod must insome manner be carried to the front. This is accomplished by means ofthe rotary mounting of the rack. To safeguard the case, however, andprevent the undesired contact of the rack in its rotation with the case,it is necessary that its rotation shall be controlled so as to takeplace only when the clearance of the rack and case will be assured. Tothis end. I have provided the guiding or controlling means 12 said meansconsisting of a body 13 having therein a s ot 14 lying lengthwisethereof from the rear end to near the front end, the slot at its frontend having a branch lying at right angles thereto extending from eachside.

These branches are denoted by reference numeral 15, and in effectproduce a contmw ous slot of shorter length than slot 14-, which .liesat right angles thereto and communicates therewith. The body 13 islocated in the case beneath the false bottom LC \\'l1ich is supplied tocover the carriage and tracks, a slot 17 therein being provided for thereception of the mount for the rack on the carriage and allowing theback and forth movement of the rack into and out of the ease, and theslot 14 lies just beneath slot 17 while that formed by branches l5 liesparallel to the front of the case.

A spindle 18 is pinned to the bar 11 so as to rotate therewith and itextends downward through the mount for the rack to immediately above theguide 12. At its lower end the spindle is provided with an arm 19rigidly secured thereto and which at its free end carries a roller 20mounted for rotation and in a plane below the {11".51 19. The roller 20projects into the slot it when the rack is within the case and s of asize to freely move in the slot without binding against the sides.

The arm 19 is positioned in a plane at right angles to the rods 8. \Viththe roller carried thereby within the slot 1 1 which is located with itscenter line at right angles to the front and back of the case, it isclear that the rods are held parallel to the front and back ofthe caseand that no rotation of the rack-and consequent changeof position of therods can take place. If, however, the rack is pulled forward untiltheroller 20, is in opposition to the branch slots the roller may thenenter either of the branches and follow it. Onthis occurring, thecarriage will move on the tracks supporting it, and at the same time,the direction of the arm 19 will be changed and the rack rigidlyconnected therewith will depart from its position with the rods 8thereof parallel to the front and back of the case. As the traversing ofthe branch 15 continues the bodily and simultaneously occurring rotarymovement of the rack will continue, the roller 20 bearing against a sideof the branch slot 15 in which it is positioned, the force appliedto therack and tending to rotate it in turn being partially commu'ni;

cated through the arm 19 and roller 20 to side of the slot 1n thismanner effecting the bodily movement. As the operation'proceeds stillfurther, the roller enters theop posite branch and the bodilymovementbegins in a direction opposite tothat made while the roller wastraversing the first f branch, while the rotary movement continues inthe same direction. It is clear therefore that as soon as the roller 19is in position to enter the branch slots 15, a combined rotary andbodily movement of theraclr must take place, and that in making a complete revolution of the rack, there will be bodily movement in onedirection for half a revolution and a bodily movement'in the oppositedirection for the remaining half of the revolution but that at all timesthere will be concurrent rotary and bodily movements; and that therotary movement may take place in either direction and continue as longas desired without having to reverse the rotary movement after a certainarc of revolution has been accomplished. In this connection it will benoted that the rOller" 20 is continually bearing against aside of 'l thebranch slots 15 so that a check is thereby lIIlPOSQCl aga nst the freerotation of the rack, any rotation that takes place being necessarilysimultaneous with bodily move ment of the rack. should be a tendency forthe rack to rotate such that if it was free it would rotate, as

for instance, from uneven loading of the If, accordingly, there rack orthe rack not being level, it will be. checked and no rotation will takeplace, the V tendency which may occur from these causes being usuallyslight and not suflicient to overcome the "I'BSlStilIlCG that would beoffered in both starting the heavily loaded rack in a bodily movementand also a rotary movement.

I have shown the arm 19 as projecting forward from the center line ofthe rack but it is evident that it may project backward and that therack may be retracted into the case without reference to which rod 8 isat the front position. The operation which will occur as the rack isbrought toward the front will be the same except the roller 19 will notcome to the branch slots 15 as soon with the arm extending to the rearas it would if toward the front.

Various modifications in detail may be resorted to without departingfrom my invention. For instance in Figs. 1 and 4, I have shown the slotformed by branches 15 as situated at different distances from the frontof the case, in Fig. at, the distance being sufficient that none of therotary parts will contact with the case, while in Fig. 1, the rotatingmount casing will come into engagement with the parts 21 of the frontbase board of the case. These parts 21 are therefore shown as hinged at22 to allow the passage of the rack. Also it is not necessary that therotating rack should be constructed as heretofore described, but it mayconsist of a single central supporting standard or post 23 as shown indotted lines in Fig. 2, said post carrying the rack rods 8 in the usualmanner, well known in the art. Furthermore the sides of slot 14: neednot be parallel but may separate somewhat toward the front to allow morefreedom to the rack as it approaches the front, and not necessitating somuch care that the rods 8 shall be practically parallel to the front ofthe case when the initiatory movement back into the case is begun. Thisshape of the slot is indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1.

I have fully disclosed my invention and shown a practical and workingembodiment thereof. Such disclosure is, however, merely illustrative anddiagrammatic of the invention and is to be taken as such, and not in anysense as limiting the invention to certain specific constructions. Theinvention is defined by the appended claims and I consider myself asentitled to all modifications in structure falling properly wlthin theirscope.

lVhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 2- 1. Adisplay device comprising a case or compartment, a rack for supportinggoods mounted in the case or compartment, said tion of the rack ineither direction after the rack has been moved forward in the case andpreventing rotation when the 'ack is within-the case and simultaneouslycausing bodily movement of the rack as it is rotated.

2. A display device comprising a case or compartment, a rack forsupporting goods located in the case or compartment, said rack beingrotatable to present different supporting portions of the rack to frontposition, means whereby the rack may be bodily moved to and from aposition within the case or compartment, and means connected to the caseand associated with the rack for controlling its rotative movements,said means permitting the continuous rotation of the rack in eitherdirection concurrently with bodily movement of the rack back and forthin the case caused by said controlling means.

3. A display device comprising a case or compartment, a rack forsupporting goods and rotatable to present different supporting portionsof the rack to front position located in the case or compartment, meanswhereby the rack may be bodily moved to and from a position within thecase or compartment, means for controlling the rotative movements of therack, said means including elements permitting the continuous rotationof the rack in either direction and simultaneously causing concurrentbodily movement of the rack.

L. A display device comprising a case or compartment, rack forsupporting goods rotatable to present different supporting portions ofthe rack to front position located in the case or compartment, meanswhereby the rack may be bodily moved to and from a position within thecase or compartment, and means for controlling the rotative movements ofthe rack, said means including elements permitting the continuousrotation of the rack in either direction and simultaneously compellingforward bodily movement of the rack through one half of each revolutionand rearward bodily movement through the remaining half revolution.

5. A display device comprising a case or compartment, a rack forsupporting goods mounted for rotation and for bodily movement to andfrom a. position within the case or compartment, means preventingcontact of the rack with the case, means permitting the continuousrotation of the rack in either direction when bodily moved forward inthe case, said means simultaneously compelling limited bodily movementof the rack during the rotation thereof.

6. A display device comprising a rack mounted for rotative movement andfor bodily movement back and forth from a certain position, an armattached to the rack and extending from the rotative axis thereof, aguide located in proximity to the rack, said guide comprising a memberhaving a slot therein and oppositely extending branch slotscommunicating therewith, means on the arm extending into the slot andengaging the walls thereof and engaging the branch slots during rotationof the rack, said branch slots being located to either side of the mainslot and in direct op position whereby the rack may be given continuousrotation, the arm engaging one branch slot during substantially one halfof a revolution and the opposed branch slot during the remainderthereof.

7. A display rack mounted for rotative movement and for bodily movementback and forth from a certain position, a slotted guide located inproximity to the rack and having a main slot and diametrically opposedlaterally extending slots communieating With the main slot at one endthereof, means attached to the rack and entering the slotted guidemember, said means traversing the main slot during bodily movement ofthe rack and the branch slots during rotation of the rack, whereby therack is permitted continuous rotary movement and concurrently caused tohave bodily movement therewith.

8. A display device comprising a rack mounted for bodily and rotativemovements, an arm attached to the rack and ex tending from the rotativeaxis of the rack, said arm having engagement with a c0ntrolling meansfixed in position parallel with the bodily movement of the rack, saidcontrolling means including elements which prevent the turning of thearm until the rack has reached one limit of its bodily movement, andfurther elements included in the controlling means with which the armhas engagement whereby said arm is permitted turning movement andsimultameans attached to therack and engaging the controlling means,said controlling means including elements which through engagement withthe means attached to the rack prevent the rotation of the rack until ithas reached one limit of its bodily movement, and further elementsincluded in thecontrolling means for permitting the rotation of the rackcontinuously in either d1- rectlon, said elements in COIlJUIlCtlOl'lwith the means attached to the rack simultaneously causing bodilymovement of the rack.

10. A display rack compr sing a rack mounted for bodily and rotativemovements,

a slotted guide located in proximity to the rack and having a main slotparallel with the direction of the bodily movement of the rack, anddirectly opposed laterally extending slots communicating with themainslot at one end thereof, and an arm attached to the rack andengaging with the Walls of the slots to control the movements of therack, thereby permitting continuous rotary movement of the rack ineither direction when the arm comes into engagement with the walls ofthe branch slots, such rotation simultaneously causing bodily movementof the rack.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my signature in thepresence of two witnesses. v

OSCAR L. SMITH. Witnesses FRANK E. LIVERANGE, J12, L. E. CARROLL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. C.

